Chapter 12. CNP-based Gel Materials

Cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs) comprising cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), bacterial cellulose, and their derivatives have been extensively considered in the development of hydrogels due to their unique physicochemical properties as well as their availability, biocompatibility, and the smart behaviour that can be represented by some modified cellulose nanoparticles. Also, they are immensely important for fabrication of nanocellulose-based hydrogels or reinforced hydrogels for a wide range of applications. Nanocellulose and its derivatives also, owing to their specific structural properties and high surface area, can bind with various functional molecules such as polymers or inorganics through chemical and physical interactions. This process not only improves the structural properties and performance of the nanocellulose-based hydrogels but also provides a basis for the fabrication of novel hydrogels with multifunctional properties. This chapter addresses an overview of recent progress in the design, fabrication, and application of hydrogels/aerogels based on CNPs in various fields of application including drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering, as well as their use in the development of stimuli-responsive materials.